​Department of Human Assistance Benefits

The Department of Human Assistance administers various federal, state, and local government programs designed to provide temporary cash aid, food assistance, and health insurance for eligible low-income Sacramento County residents.

CalFresh

CalFresh can help you and your family.

To request a CalFresh application or get more information, call 916) 874-3100 or (209) 744-0499

Apply for CalFresh online.For more information about how to apply and use CalFresh, read brochure. In certain situations, you may qualify to receive emergency CalFresh within three (3) days.

CalWORKs

The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Program is California’s replacement of the Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC) Program. Also known as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), this program provides cash assistance for eligible families with children (time-limited for non-exempt adults). In 2013, approximately 33,000 families received CalWORKs in Sacramento County.

New Rules for CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work Activities

Starting January 1, 2013, there will be new rules that give you more Welfare-to-Work Activity options and require fewer participation hours for single-adult families.

The new rules do not change your CalWORKs 48-month time limit or your cash aid amount, but the WTW rules to stay on aid have changed.

Summary of New WTW Rules

Starting January 1, 2013, there is a new WTW 24-month Time Clock (within the 48-month Time Clock).

For most families, there are fewer required hours of participation.

You will have more choices of activities you can participate in during the WTW 24-Month Time Clock period. At the end of the WTW 24-month Time Clock period, you will have fewer choices of activities that count.

There are times when your WTW 24-Month Time Clock may stop. Months when your clock is stopped will not count towards your WTW 24-Month Time Clock.

Cal-Learn

The Cal-Learn Program, a program for pregnant or parenting teens under the age of 19 on welfare, is a statewide, mandatory program designed to help them graduate from high school and become self-sufficient.

CAPI

Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) is a state-funded cash assistance program for certain aged, blind and disabled immigrants. DHA is the lead county in the North State/Orange CAPI Consortium. DHA staff processes applications and maintains continuing cases for Orange County and 24 Northern California counties.

Childcare Services

What is CalWORKs and the Three Stage Child Care System?

CalWORKs provides cash aid and services to eligible needy families. One of the services provided to help families achieve self–sufficiency is temporary child care subsidies.

The CalWORKs program created a three stage child care system to aid families in getting connected to local child care resources.

When someone enters the CalWORKs program their child care is considered Stage One. The Stage One child care subsidy remains active until the participant's work activity becomes stable and then they are transferred to Stage Two. The participant can remain in Stage Two for 24 months past the time their cash aid is discontinued or until their income reaches 75% of the state's median income. Stage Three is for former CalWORKs clients, diversion clients, and the general population when spaces are funded and available.

EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer)

A new, easy-to-use card replaced food stamp coupons and paper checks for Sacramento County public assistance recipients. It's the Golden State Advantage Card, and it's part of the Electronic Benefit Transfer system or EBT.

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is a benefit issuance system that allows you to get your food stamp or cash benefits using a debit-type card. EBT replaces paper checks and food stamp coupons so no more lost or stolen benefits. You do not need a bank account to use EBT.

The Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance (DHA) is implementing the EBT Restaurant Meals Program on May 1, 2006. With this new program, more than 4,000 elderly, disabled, or homeless people, who receive food stamp benefits in Sacramento County, will be able to purchase prepared hot meals in addition to making their grocery store purchases using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.

General Assistance

The General Assistance (GA) Program is a repayable program designed to provide short-term assistance to indigent adults who are at least eighteen (18) years of age, unemployed or verified unemployable and who have no other means of support.

Medi-Cal Services

Access to quality health care for every eligible child and adult is a fundamental goal of the Department of Human Assistance.

Affordable Health Care

Affordable health care options are now available.

The Affordable Care Act requires that most people have health care coverage. Enroll now for new health insurance options for you and your family, some at no cost to you.

Medi-Cal: Medi-Cal programs provide no-cost or low-cost health insurance for adults who are aged (65 years or older), blind, disabled, pregnant, or in a long-term facility; for children who are under 21 years of age; or for families with children including those who receive CalWORKs.

In 2014, eligibility for Medi-Cal was expanded to include people who are non-disabled, non-elderly and qualifying adults aged 19-64 with income levels at or below 138% the Federal Poverty Level.

Call the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance: (916)874-3100 or (209)744-0499

Apply in person at a Sacramento County office (M-F 8-4)

4433 Florin RoadSacramento, CA 95823

10013 Folsom BlvdRancho Cordova, CA 95827

2700 Fulton Ave.Sacramento, CA 95821

3960 Research Dr.Sacramento, CA 95838

1725 28th StSacramento, CA 95816

2450 Florin RoadSacramento, CA 95822

5747 Watt Ave.North Highlands, CA 95660

210 North Lincoln WayGalt, CA 95632

Health Insurance Assistance: Financial assistance to reduce the cost of health insurance is also available. Individuals who earn up to $45,960 and families of four that earn up to $94,200 per year may now qualify. Visit www.CoveredCA.com to see examples of benefits and costs.

County Medically Indigent Services Program (CMISP)

The County Medically Indigent Services Program (CMISP) provides medically necessary care to all eligible indigents who are residents of Sacramento County. It is a program of “last resort” available to residents who do not have or are not eligible for other health care coverage. Persons who need to apply for health care coverage programs including CMISP may do so at the time they request medical services.

If you are receiving only Medi-Cal and/or CalFresh benefits from the Department of Human Assistance, you no longer need to come to our offices. Just call the Medi-CalFRESH Service Center with all your Medi-Cal/ CalFresh needs. Anyone who answers the Medi-CalFresh Service Center line can help you immediately.

The Medi-CalFresh Service Center is available to assist Medi-Cal and/or CalFresh clients only. If you are receiving CalWORKs, please contact your CalWORKs worker to resolve your issue.

Transitional Housing

Laverne Adolfo Housing Programs for Former Foster Youth

The Adolfo program provides transitional housing and supportive services to former foster youth in the age range of 18 years and up to the 24th birthday for Transitional Housing and through 24 years for Permanent Supportive Housing.

For Intake information please call (916) 879-1784.

Veterans Services

Available benefits are primarily from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but we also assist in obtaining earned veterans' benefits from the State of California and local government entities.

Veterans Services is also responsible for administering the College Fee Waiver Program for Veterans' Dependents. This program is afforded to spouses, unmarried surviving spouses, and children of service-connected disabled or service related deceased veterans. Eligible dependents are not required to pay "mandatory system wide" tuition and fees while attending either a California community college, a campus of the California State University (Cal State) system, or a campus of the University of California (UC) system. This program not only provides eligible dependents with the incentive, but also the opportunity to pursue their goals.